Catch and Release

I remember growing up fishing with my dad and brothers whenever we can. Hooking worms on the hook was something I was never good at, along with tying the fishing line onto hooks or just getting the hook out of the fish's mouth. But I did however enjoy my time fishing and getting to bring back the fish we have caught throughout the day.

Many years went by and I haven't touched a fishing pole until my younger brother talked me into buying a new rod and reel to go fishing with him. I was hooked on again. We would go out for hours on end just fishing and getting burned by the hot summer sun. Whenever we would catch a large mouth bass, northern pike, or any other fish, my brother and I would always release it regardless of size.

Now I see that a lot of people I know would be bringing back a sort of fish back, whether they're big or small, legal size or not. Most of them will be eaten and some won't be. Which is a huge waste when that fish could be released back into the water and grow even bigger. Also getting decent sized bass around the area is hard to come by, especially for those, like me, who fish off the shore.

I have friends and cousins ask why I release the fish when I catch them, my reply is always the same, "because it gives them a chance to get bigger for other people to catch." I will keep on practicing catch and release in the coming years. And I hope more people catch on and spread the word about it.